Tag Archives: college students

I recently asked some friends and colleagues what a new co-worker could do to really annoy them. While there was a wide range of potentially annoying behaviors, the following five consistently left a bad taste in everyone’s mouth: Bail on your co-workers Call in sick to work, and then post pictures of yourself on Instagram (or your site of choice) […]

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Welcome Back! We’re hoping you have an amazing school year! Here are some really easy, but often forgotten, tips for making this year especially great.

Forward your school email account
If you don’t regularly check your school email account, remember to forward it to your primary account (the one you check regularly), or to set up your primary account to pull your school account’s emails. I know you probably get a LOT of email from your school that you don’t necessarily want flooding your regular account, but you can also miss a lot of important information and news if you’re not getting email from your school.

Meet with a career advisor
Whether you’re a first year student, an alum, or any year in between, talking with the folks at your career center early and often can be really useful. Get the most out of your appointment by doing a bit of preparation in advance. For example, have a list of questions ready, or write down a goal for the year and ask for help to achieve the goal. Most career centers can help with choosing a major, planning for longer term careers, finding internships, searching for jobs, applying to graduate school, and a lot more.(more…)

So, here you are, a young specialist who has just graduated from college, or you’re someone who has just been downsized – in other words, you’re a job seeker. In today’s tough economic times, being unemployed can be very stressful, which can sometimes make the job market pretty intense and complicated. With a so many different tips and tricks being shared, it is easy to get it all wrong and spoil your job search instead of making it successful. So, before you dive into the list of job openings for marketing positions or whatever else you are interested in, make sure you follow the tips right.

Tip: Tell employer about your skills.How to misuse it: Not elaborating on your skills. This applies for both your résumé and job interview. Remember that you have to prove the things you can do, but that doesn’t mean sharing irrelevant or underdeveloped skills. Prepare a variety of examples of how you use your skills in relevant settings. For example, if you are good at programming, talk about the programs you’ve created that are still used by your previous employer.

Tip: Focus on skills and experience needed for the vacancy.How to misuse it: Talking up your skills until you annoy the employer. For example, when an interviewer asks if you have any questions, and you use this time to talk about yourself again. Always remember the golden mean, (i.e. a happy medium), and don’t overdo it when you want to demonstrate that you are the right fit for the vacancy.(more…)

Question: I am finishing my freshman year in college as a computer science major. I did really well in high school and have always been a good student (like 4.0 from sophomore to senior year in hs) but suddenly I am failing!! I am now on academic probation and if I don’t raise my gradse then I’d be kicked out! My classmates and parents tell me this will make it impossible to get an internship or get a job. Will this ruin my chances to get a internship or a job??? ~ Ju-won P., Portland, OR

Answer: First things, first. We need to determine the root cause of your failing grades. In the long run, employers care most about a continuous pattern of behavior. If this academic year is just an anomaly, (i.e., it never happens again), then the negative impact of this year’s low grades will be minimal. However, if you are not able to identify what caused your grades to drop this year, are not able to remedy the situation, and therefore continue with a pattern of low grades, then yes, your chances of finding internships and jobs will be negatively impacted.

There are many different reasons why grades can suddenly suffer. Here are just a few possible reasons why grades could suddenly drop and tips for pulling your grades back up.

1. Too much autonomy – As a first year student, you may be adjusting to having a lot more autonomy and not having teachers “nag” you about getting homework or assignments done.Tips:

Consider working with your school’s learning center to develop effective time management skills that will match your needs and personality.

You may also want to connect with a trusted friend or family member to act as an accountability partner to help you stay on task.

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Your personal college career center. We help college students, recent grads and young professionals make the transition from college to work. Key audience: college students, recent graduates, young professionals, seekers with no experience, international students, immigrants.